FR2548421A1 - DEVICE FOR CLEANING A PLAYING AND / OR RECORDING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A DEVICE FOR CLEANING READ HEADS AND FOR RECORDING READING APPLIANCES AND / OR RECORDING ON TAPE. IT INCLUDES A CASSETTE BOX 46 IN WHICH A CLEANING TAPE 48 IS WOUND ON TWO COILS 50, 52. THE BOX IS DESIGNED TO BE PLACED IN THE HOUSING OF A CASSETTE OF A CLASSIC RECORDING APPARATUS 10 SO THAT THE TAPE CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE VARIOUS HEADS 16, 18, 20 OF THIS APPLIANCE, AS WELL AS WITH ITS CAPSTAN 28 AND THE ASSOCIATED PINCH ROLLER 30. TO THIS END, A CARTRIDGE 60 CAN BE MOVED BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS IN ONE OF WHICH THE TAPE 48 PASSES BETWEEN THE CAPSTAN AND THE PRESSURE ROLLER WHILE, IN THE OTHER POSITION, IT BYPASSES THE CAPSTAN AND THE PRESSURE ROLLER. FIELD OF APPLICATION: VCR, VCR, ETC.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for cleaning

functional elements of a

  video playback / recording device.

  In video playback / recording apparatus or video recorders, there is generally a rotating video head which records and / or plays the video portion of a playback tape, an audio head, an erase head and, where appropriate, other elements that come into contact with the tape For proper operation of the video recorder, it is desirable that the parts

  surface of these elements are cleaned periodically.

  There are described in the prior art various cassette-like devices having cleaning elements for contacting the functional elements of the reading / recording devices of the present invention.

  Some of these devices use reciprocating or rotating cleaning elements. Some others move a ribbon in front of the various components of the reading / recording devices.

  In many video playback / recording devices, there are a number of factors

  which add to the complexity of a cleaning operation.

  For example, some of the functional components are arranged so that the ribbon must be moved by guiding members a relatively large distance to be brought into the work area of the apparatus in order to come into contact with the functional components. In addition, the drive mechanisms which rotate the reels of the cassette on which the tape is wound work differently depending on the production number or the model. In addition, in some of these devices a capstan and a roller are provided. In general, certain automatic stop mechanisms are provided and come into operation when the various functional components are not working in a compatible manner. The invention therefore relates to a method and a device for cleaning a video reading / recording apparatus, which method and device can effectively and reliably clean the functional components of the apparatus, while adapting to variations that may exist between the functional components

  and / or the shutdown mechanisms of the apparatus.

  The cleaning device of the invention is adapted to clean a reading and / or recording apparatus, said reading and / or recording apparatus comprising: a) a structure which defines a working housing for receiving a reading and / or recording apparatus; tape cassette in working position in this housing; (b) at least one head that has a surface that is prone to fouling; c) guide means adapted to contact a tape of the cassette in a contact position with the tape and to move the tape outward to a position of contact with the head; d) a capstan and a pinch roller located in a capstan and pinch roller position, to be carried against the web and circulated through the reading and / or recording apparatus; e) drive pins to engage with the reels of the cassette for

turn.

  The cleaning device comprises a cassette casing adapted to be placed in the housing of

  work of the reading and / or recording apparatus.

  The cassette case has a front end, a

  rear end and first and second sides.

  A cleaning tape, having a longitudinal axis, is housed in the casing of the cassette so as to comprise a section which, when the casing of the cassette is placed in a working position in the apparatus, is arranged so as to be engaged by the guiding means and brought from the casing of the cassette to a cleaning position In the cleaning position, the ribbon bears against at least the head and it is mounted in the casing of the cassette so as to be able to leave the casing casing and enter it following a path aligned on

the longitudinal axis of the ribbon.

  A device for cleaning the capstan and the pressure roller is mounted in the casing of the cassette 10 and can take a first cleaning position in which it bears against the capstan and the pressure roller in cleaning contact in the position of the capstan and the roller The cleaning device is mobile

  to a second position remote from the position of the capstan and the pressure roller.

  There is further provided ribbon positioning means being able to work in a first positioning mode to place the ribbon on a path bypassing the capstan and the pinch roller, and a second. 20 positioning mode placing the ribbon between the capstan

and the pressure roller.

  With this arrangement, the cleaning device being in its first cleaning position, and the tape positioning means being in the first positioning mode, the cleaning device is capable of making a cleaning contact with the capstan and the roller pressure, the ribbon bypassing the capstan and the pressure roller The cleaning device being in its second position and the means of positioning the ribbon in their second positioning mode, the ribbon is engaged by the capstan and the pressure roller to be moved by them on his next ride

its longitudinal axis.

  In the preferred embodiment, the capstan and pressure washer cleaning positive and the ribbon positioning means are mounted on a mounting member which itself is movably mounted in the casing of the cassette. mounting member can be moved between first and second positions to move the cleaning device between its first and second positions and move the ribbon positioning means between their first and second positioning modes The mounting member and the housing of the cassette comprises means for positioning with additional tenons, so that the mounting element can be moved between its first and second positions along the placing means. More particularly, the tenon and mortise placement means comprise a first mortise formed in the casing of the cassette and extending in a lateral direction and a second mortise formed in the casing of the cassette and also extending into a substantially lateral direction The mounting element comprises first and second pins fitting into

the first and second mortises.

  Desirably, the first and second mortises are located on opposite sides of the capstan and pressure washer cleaning device, and at least one of the mortises is inclined from a lateral axis to cause rotating the mounting member as it is moved between its first and second positions At least one of the tenons is mounted on a bending member which is adapted to bear against first and second locating and locating members in the casing of the cassette to position the mounting member in its first and second positions. The first and second mortises are preferably made to have an end portion opening from the casing of the cassette, so that the mounting member can be used as a cartridge.

  The removable disk can be inserted into and removed from the casing of the cassette.

  In its preferred embodiment, the cleaning device according to the invention is adapted for use in a reading and / or recording apparatus having a stop mechanism which includes first and second spaced apart stop devices. The one of the stop devices is a light emitting element and the other is a light sensitive element The stop device is arranged so that when the tape cassette is in position the strip is arranged to cut a light beam traversing a path connecting the first and second stop devices.

  the strip is placed on the path of the light beam, the stop mechanism is actuated.

  The cleaning device according to the invention of the beam intersecting the path of the light beam between the stop devices, and a transmission position 15 of the beam allowing the light beam to follow its path between the stop devices. cleaning further comprises a drive transmission adapted to be engaged with one of the drive members of the reading and / or recording apparatus to move the screen between its first and second positions. , the cleaning device can be moved on a cleaning cycle while the drive transmission moves the screen of the first

glass the second stop position.

  Desirably, the screen comprises a rotatable member disposed around one of the stop devices, and the transmission includes a speed reducing transmission for rotating the screen at

  a speed lower than that of the rotation of the drive member with which the transmission is engaged.

  Preferably, the transmission comprises a gear reduction gear mounted in engagement between the screen and

the driving element.

  In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning detergent further comprises two coils mounted in the housing of the cassette and adapted so that the tape may be wound therein. At least one of the coils comprises a toothed member for entering the housing.

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  Thus, rotation of the coil to move the ribbon causes rotation of the screen. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, mirrors are provided for reflecting the light beam 5 along a non-linear path between first and second stop devices In addition, a lens is placed in the path of the light beam to focus the light of this beam at an intensity sufficient to operate

the stop mechanism.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings by way of non-limiting example and in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view from above of the device according to the invention, the supreme cover e-r15 is represented partially broken away, this view also showing some components of the apparatus on which the device is mounted, these components being those with which the device according to the invention cooperates directly during operation; Figure 2 is a partial section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the speed reduction gear transmission, intended to actuate the stop mechanism of the device according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing the cleaning tape of the invention brought into its cleaning position at the beginning of a cleaning cycle, this view also showing the capstan cleaning device. and the pressure roller in its cleaning position; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, showing the stop mechanism in a position it occupies at the end of the cleaning cycle of the device according to the invention; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the capstan and pressure roller cleaning device and the cartridge on which it is mounted, brought into a second working position; Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, but showing the cleaning tape in its working position, the capstan cartridge and pressure roller being in the position shown in Figure 5; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cassette cleaning device according to the invention, showing the manner in which a cartridge containing a coil carrying a cleaning tape and the cleaning cartridge of the capstan and the pressure roller can be inserted into the casing. 10 of the cassette; FIG. 8 is a bottom clan view showing two parts of the cassette and illustrating how the cleaning tape from the capstan cleaning cartridge and the pressure roller is connected to the reel placed at the bottom of the cassette. proximity to this capstan cleaning cartridge and the pressure roller; Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 showing the cleaning cartridge inserted into the cassette housing; Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, showing the cleaning cartridge placed fully in its left position; Fig. 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 7; and Figure 12 is a partial section following

line 12-12 of figure 10.

  As indicated above, the invention is particularly designed for cleaning the functional components of a video / VCR recorder / lecuria apparatus, intended to receive a cassette-type playback tape. It therefore seems sensible, to facilitate comprehension. of the invention, to first describe some of the functional elements of a conventional video playback / recording apparatus for which the device according to the invention is particularly designed.

  description which follows, the apparatus 10 for reading / recording

  video will be called "video device" or simply

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  "apparatus". Figures 1 and 3 to 6 show some of the main functional components of the video apparatus 10 in plan and in relatively schematic form. The cabinet, circuit components, control buttons and other components of the apparatus video 10 are not shown because they are not essential to the understanding of the invention The figures rather represent only the functional components e Antran irtement in the functicnnement of the invention The apparatus 10 comprises a cabinet or body 12 which defines a A cassette cassette 14 (not shown), which normally fits into the housing or the recess 14, includes a cassette housing 14 or a cavity 14 for receiving a cassette. cassette of generally rectangular shape Two coils are rotatably mounted in the casing and a magnetic tape is wound on these coils and passes on the front part of the casing of the cassette In operation, guiding means of the apparatus 10 bear against the magnetic strip and remove it from the casing of the casing.

  cassette to bring it to its working position.

  To now describe the functional components of the video apparatus 10, there may be mentioned three magnetic functional components which react to the magnetic signals carried by the magnetic tape or modulate

  the signals carried by the tape, or perform these two operations These components are: an erase head 16, a rotating video head 18 and an audio head 20.

  As their name indicates, the erase head 16 can be activated to erase the magnetic signals from the tape, the video head 18 can be used either as a read head or as a recording head. video head 18 has the general configuration of a circular disk (ie a flat cylinder) and has a cylindrical peripheral surface 22 of work One or more scanning elements 24 are located on this surface 22 and the head 18 rotates on the central axis 26 of the cylindrical surface 22 The head 18 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal so that the central axis 26 is oblique or slightly inclined relative to a line perpendicular to the plane of the tape cassette read by the device 10 It is

  also provided a fixed element 27 guiding.

  The audio head 20 works on the sound track of the magnetic tape either to read sound signals 10 or to record sound signals when the apparatus 10 is in its recording mode. In addition, the audio head 20 may, in some cases , perform a

erase function.

  The apparatus 10 also includes a capstan 28 and a pressure roller 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure roller 30 is spaced from the capstan 28. During the operation of the apparatus 10, the pressure roller 30 moves to an adjacent position. to the capstan 28 so that the magnetic tape is taken between them, the

  rotation of the capstan 28 scrolling the magnetic tape at a controlled speed through the apparatus 10.

  Six movable guiding elements, designated 32 to 42, respectively, are provided. The guiding element 32 is placed, in its rest position, slightly to the left of the left front angle of the cavity or housing 14 receiving the cassette. guide elements 33, 36 and 38 are arranged at the front left part of the housing or cavity 14 of the cassette. The other two guide elements 40 and 42 are placed in the median front zone of the housing or cavity 14 of the When a conventional tape cassette is placed in the cavity 14 and the apparatus 10 is turned on so as to bring the conventional magnetic tape into its working position, these five guide elements 34, 36, 38 , 40 and 42 bear against the rear surface of the magnetic strip and pull it out against the components 16, 18 and 20, and the guide member 32 moves slightly to the right.

shown in Figure 3.

  The cleaning device 44 according to the invention will now be described. The device 44 comprises a substantially rectangular cassette housing 46 having the same overall configuration as the housing or body.

  a conventional tape cassette, read from the apparatus 10.

  A cleaning tape 48 is wound on two left and right coils 50 and 52, respectively, these bobbins and 52 being arranged substantially in the same manner as the coils of a conventional tape cassette, so that they can be engaged with the coils. left and right drive pins 54 and 56 being part of

  elements of the classic apparatus 10.

  The cleaning device 44 further comprises a stop mechanism 58 which is intended to stop the operation of the apparatus 10 at the end of a cleaning cycle. Finally, an adjustable cleaning cartridge 60 is intended for cleaning the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 As described more fully hereinafter, this cartridge 60 can assume two working positions to accommodate variations in the operating characteristics of the particular apparatus 10 in which

it is used.

  To further describe the present invention, casing 46 of the cassette may be considered to have a front wall 62, a rear wall 64, left and right walls 66 and 68, respectively, a bottom 70 and a wall This housing 46 may be conveniently made of upper and lower portions secured to each other by screws or other fasteners located at points such as those indicated at 74 and 76. Additionally, the casing 46 has appropriate apertures, such as those indicated at 78, for accommodating positioning members or other elements present in the apparatus 10 The casing 46 may comprise ribs

reinforcement at various points.

2548421.

  1 1 end of the ribbon 48 is wound on the left coil 50 and starts from its left side forwards, passes over a positioning roller 82 located in the left front angle of the housing 46, then extends along 84 The ribbon then passes around a second positioning roller 86 and then back to the right side of the right coil 52 so that it can be wound on the latter. The right roller 86 of This feature is important for the operation of the present invention, which will be described on the cleaning cartridge 60 so that it can be moved with it.

in more detail below.

  The stopping mechanism 58 comprises a substantially cylindrical screen 88 and a gear reducer transmission 90. The screen 88 is mounted above a light source 92 already present in the apparatus, forming part of the existing mechanism. In normal operation of a conventional tape cassette, each end of the magnetic tape has a transparent primer. When this transparent primer is unwound from one or other of the reels carrying the tape, it allows the light source 92 to shine through said primer to actuate either a left stop device 94 or a right stop device 96, these devices 94 and 96 being part of the elements of FIG.

the device 10.

  In the present invention, the cylindrical screen 88 serves to obscure the light source 92, except when it allows the transmission of a light beam through a window 98 formed in the side wall of this screen 88. in detail below, in the position of Figure 1, the screen 88 is placed for the beginning of a cleaning cycle, while in Figure 4, it is positioned to allow the light source 92 to transmit a beam to the stop device 94 and thus stop the cycle

  cleaning by the cleaner 44.

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  The aforesaid speed reduction gear transmission 90 comprises a first gear 100 which meshes with a toothed wheel 102 forming part of the upper annular flange 104 of the right spool 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 100 is fixed to a pinion, the toothed wheel 100 and the pinion 110 being rotatably mounted on an axis 112 The pinion 110 is engaged with a toothed wheel 114 which itself is fixed to a pinion 116, the toothed wheel 114 and the pinion 10 116 being rotatably mounted on a second axis 118 The pinion 116 meshes itself with a toothed wheel 120 fixed to a pinion 122 and mounted with the latter, so as to be rotatable on the pin 112 The pinion 122 is engaged with a toothed wheel 124 which is itself attached to a toothed wheel 125, both wheels 124 and 126

  being rotatably mounted on the axis 118.

  The wheel 126 meshes with a gear 128 fixed to a gear 130, the gear 128 and the gear 130 being rotatably mounted on an axis 132. Finally, the gear 130 meshes with a gear 134 which is made in one piece with the screen 88 at its upper part The overall effect of the speed reduction transmission 90 is to turn the screen 88

  at a speed of approximately 10% of the rotational speed of the right coil 52.

  The above-mentioned cleaning cartridge 60 assumes two functions. The first is that, by means of its positioning roller 86, it conveniently places the cleaning tape 48 in one of two working positions. The second is that the cartridge 60 comprises a buffer In a first mode of operation, the cleaning cap 136 can be cleaned with both a capstan 28 and a pressure roller 30. As shown, this cleaning pad 136 consists of a single elongate member which is folded back onto itself to form a first one. finger 138 extending forward and intended to bear against the pressure roller 30, and a second finger 140 extending forwardly and intended to bear against the capstan 28 The buffer 136 is conveniently housed in a member 142 of U-shape positioning The ribbon 48 passes between

  the positioning roller 86 and the buffer 136.

  The cleaning cartridge 60 can take up two working positions, the first being shown on the

  Figures 1, 3 and 4 and the second in Figures 5 and 6.

  In the first position, the pad 136 is arranged to bear against the capstan 28 and the pinch roller in cleaning contact, and the positioning roller 86 is placed on the left of the capstan 28 so that the cleaning tape 48 bypasses the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 to pass directly from the roller 86 to the spool 52 In the second position (shown in Figures 5 and 6) the cartridge 60 is dllaze to the right and the buffer 136 is no longer in position However, the positioning roller 86 is further moved to the right so that the front section is in contact with the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30.

  84 of the cleaning tape passes between the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30.

  The reason why the cartridge 60 can take two positions is to give the cleaner 44 the flexibility to be compatible with different drive mechanisms of the apparatus 10 This will be described in more detail below with the explanation. However, to briefly indicate the reason for such an arrangement, in some apparatus, an automatic shutdown mechanism is triggered if the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 are not in operation. contact with a magnetic tape of a tape cassette or any other object simulating such a magnetic tape In these

  the cartridge 60 is placed in its advanced position to the right, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Furthermore, by placing the cartridge 60 in its left position, shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it is possible to place the fixed cleaning buffer 136 in cleaning contact with the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 in order to to improve the cleaning of these organs

28 and 30.

  To be able to be mounted in these two positions, the cartridge 60 has two lugs or upper and lower left lugs, respectively, for positioning, and two lugs or upper and lower right lugs 148 and 150, respectively, for positioning the two left lugs 144 and 146 move in two corresponding upper and lower left-hand grooves or grooves 10 bearing the same reference 152 and made in the upper and lower walls '72 and 7-0, respectively, of the cassette housing. The straight pins 148 and 150 of positioning engage in two grooves or mortises

  right superior and lower 154 a and 154 b.

  The two left mortises 152 extend from their left end 156, rearwardly away, at a moderate forward inclination for

  unblock 158 at the front of the casing 46 of the cassette.

  Straight mortises or grooves 154a and 154b extend from a right rear end 160 to the left and at a moderate forward inclination to a left end 162 A third pair of mortises or grooves lower 164 part of the point

  162 forward to open at 166 at the front end of the casing 46 of the cassette.

  So that the cartridge 60 can be fixedly placed in one or the other of its two working positions, the right lower positioning pin 150 is mounted on a spring-like arm 168, which recalls this lower right lug 150 to The lower right groove 154b has at its right end an opening 170 which extends through the bottom wall 70 of the cassette housing 46 and a second left opening 172 at the left end of the bottom groove. right 154b (i.e. at the junction of the lower groove 154b and the groove

lower 164).

  When the cleaning cartridge 60 is in its left position shown in FIG. 1, the lower right positioning pin 150 comes into

  the left opening 172 (as shown in Fig. 12) to hold the cartridge 60 in this position.

  When it is desired to move the cartridge 60 from the left-hand position of FIG. 1 to the right-hand position of FIG. 5, it suffices to place a pencil or other narrow object in the immediate vicinity of the bottom 70 of the housing and to exerting an inward pressure against the lug 150 to disengage it from the opening 172 The cartridge 60 can then be moved to the right, the right group of lugs 148 and 150 sliding in the corresponding grooves 154a and 154b and the two left-hand lugs 144 and 146 sliding in their grooves 152 When the cleaning cartridge 60 has reached the right-hand position shown in FIG. 5, the lower right-hand lug 150 snaps into the right opening 170 , thus keeping the cartridge 60 in the right position. To move the cartridge from this right position, a pencil or

  Another sharp object is again pressed against the right positioning pin 150 to disengage it from the opening 170, and the cartridge 160 is then moved to the left.

  In addition, the cartridge 60 can be taken out of the cassette housing 46 from the left-hand position shown in FIG. 1. For this purpose, a pencil or other sharp object is again used to disengage the spigot 150. the opening 172, and then sliding the two locating lugs 148 and 150 forward, into the upper and lower front grooves 164 Simultaneously, the two left-handed latch pins 144 and 146 are slid right in their respective positions. grooves 152 and removed from the front end 158 of

these grooves 152.

  The cleaning device or cleaner 44 is designed so that the cleaning tape 48 and the cleaning cartridge 60 can be conveniently replaced in the casing 46 of the cassette, and this will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. The left coil is made in the form of a removable cartridge 174 having an upper wall 176 and four locking tabs 178 located at the periphery of the upper circular wall 176 The cartridge 174 has a structure forming a suitable housing for supporting the coil 50 so that it can In particular, the latter comprises a side wall 180 having a cutout portion 182 which allows the ribbon 48 to exit the coil. The bottom wall 70 of the casing 46 has a circular positioning rib 184 for receiving 15 the cartridge in proper position and a central opening 186 allowing pin 54 to training of

  engage with the left coil 50.

  To set up the cartridge 174 comprising the spool 50 and also to set up the cleaning cartridge 60, the ribbon 48 of the spool is first unwound in the cartridge 174 so that it passes into the circular opening 188 of receiving the cartridge formed in the upper wall 72 of the casing of the

  cassette, and that it comes out of the left front corner of the housing 46 to pass around the left front roller 82 guide.

  The tape is then inserted into the cleaning cartridge 60 to be placed around the positioning roller 86 and between this roller 86 and the buffer 136 of

  cleaning the capstan and the pressure roller.

  Then the end 190 of the ribbon 48 is connected to the right coil 52 For this purpose, the bottom 70 of the casing 46 of the cassette has a cutout 192 which extends radially from an opening 194 of the bottom, intended to receive the right drive pin 56 This cutout 192 and the opening 194 expose a rotary member 196 that can be rotated

  to snap into place with the end 190 of the ribbon 48.

  The cartridge 174 is fixedly mounted in the housing 46 of the cassette by being inserted down into the opening 188 of the upper wall. This opening 188 has four recesses 198 which correspond to the location of the locking tabs 178. The upper wall 176 of the cartridge being positioned in the opening 188, the cartridge 174 can be turned slightly clockwise so that the locking tabs 178 engage with a lip of the opening 188, thus maintaining the cartridge

174 fixed in position.

  Then the cleaning cartridge 60 of the capstan and the pressure roller can be fixedly mounted in the casing 46 of the cassette. For this purpose, the two left positioning pins 144 and 146 are placed first in the grooves 152 and moved towards the left, as shown in Fig. 9 Then the straight and positioning pins 148 are moved to engage the forwardly extending grooves 164a and 164b and are moved to the back to the location of the left opening 172 which is at the junction of the two right grooves E 154 a and 154 b and the two grooves

before 164.

  With the cleaner thus assembled, the unwinding of a cleaning cycle performed by this cleaner 44 will now be described. The cleaner 44 as shown in FIG. 1 is in the starting position of a cleaning cycle. cassette cassette is placed in the existing reading position or cavity 14 of the apparatus 10 The cleaning tape 48 is wound mainly on the left coil 50 and attached to the right coil 52, but it is not wound on the latter on a The stop screen is placed so that the light beam of the light source 92 is directed to the right by being slightly inclined towards the rear. The ribbon 48 is in its retracted position so that its front portion 84 extends to the front of the casing 46 of the cassette so as to face the five guiding elements 34-42 of the existing apparatus. In addition, the cartridge 60 for cleaning the capstan and the pressure roller is its position to the left so that the ribbon 48 does not pass between the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30. The cleaning device 44 is thus arranged, the start button of the device 10 is placed in its operating position which, in the normal mode of operation of the apparatus 10, has the effect of extracting the magnetic tape from its housing or housing and out to bring it into contact with the various working elements of the apparatus 10 With regard to the present invention, the start-up of the apparatus 10 causes the five guide elements 34-42 to come into contact with the rear face of the front section 84 of the ribbon and the movement of the latter outwards. in order to make contact with the erase head 16, the guide member 27, the video head 18 and the audio head 20. This working position is shown in FIG. moves back towards capstan 28, as shown in FIG. 3, the capstan 28 being engaged by the finger 138 of the pad, and the pressing roller 30 coming into contact with the other finger 140 of the cleaning pad. The rotation of the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 causes a cleaning action of their surfaces against

the fingers 138 and 140 of the buffer.

  At the same time, due to the normal operating position of the apparatus 10, the right and left drive pins 54 and 56 begin to rotate clockwise to scroll the ribbon 48. cleaning device along the path shown in FIG. 3 and thus making it rub against the components 16, 18, 20 and 27 of the apparatus 10 When the right coil 52 rotates, it acts via the transmission 90 With the gearwheels rotating the screen 88 at a relatively slow speed While the two spools 50 and 52 rotate about 4 turns, the screen 88 rotates about half a turn to the position shown in FIG. 4 so that a light beam (indicated at 200) passing through the window 98 arrives on the left device 94 stop to trigger the automatic stop mechanism of the apparatus 10 The cleaning tape 48 is made of a material fibrous which has a fibrous structure e somewhat open so that while the light beam 200 is stopped

  to some extent, much of the light energy can pass through the ribbon 48.

  When the stop device 194 is actuated, the device

  responds by automatically switching to its rewind mode.

  This has the effect of bringing the guiding elements 32-42 back into the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 and also causing the beginning of the rotation of the left coil 50 in the opposite direction of that of the clockwise ones to Wrap the cleaning tape 48 While the two coils 50 and 52 continue to rotate, the gear transmission 90 rotates the light shield 88 counterclockwise to bring it back into position. position of Figure 1 When the screen 88 reaches the position of Figure 1 and continues to rotate in the opposite direction of that of the clockwise, the window 98 of the screen 88 allows the light beam (indicated 200 a) to pass through a lens 202 located just to the right of the screen 88 Two mirrors 204 and 206 are arranged to reflect the beam 200a through a right opening 208 to actuate the right device 96 30 Stop Plus by Specifically, the mirror 204 is positioned just to the right and back from the position of the right opening 170. This mirror 204 is disposed at an angle of about 45 with respect to an axis from the front to the back of the housing. 46 of the cassette so that the light beam 200 a, which leaves the lens 202 in a lateral direction, to the right, is reflected towards the front in 200 b The other mirror 206 is placed in front of the mirror 204 and its reflective surface is directed rearward at 45 to the axis from

  the front to the back of the casing 46 of the cassette.

  This causes a reflection of the light beam 200b to the right, in 200 c, so that it can pass through the right opening 208 and actuate the right device

96 stop.

  The reason why the lens 202 and the mirrors 204 and 206 are so arranged is that the position of the capstan cleaning cartridge 60 and the pressure roller intercepts the normal path of the light beam from the light source 92 to the right device 96 stop, especially when the cartridge 60

  Cleaning is in the right position of Figure 4.

  The lens 202 concentrates the light beam so as to increase its intensity. Therefore, when the beam 200a is reflected by the two mirrors 204 and 206 (thereby losing intensity by traveling a longer path, in addition to the loss of intensity due to the

  reflection), the beam has sufficient intensity to actuate the stop device 96.

  As previously indicated, in some apparatuses 10 of the general type described above, the automatic stopping mechanism is operated when the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 are not in contact with the ribbon 48 and do not move. The reason for this is that the right receiver coil of the conventional tape cassette must then produce all of the force required to pull the tape 48 through the apparatus 10 If this force is too great , the stop mechanism of the apparatus 10 is

puts in action.

  When such a situation exists, the capstan and pressure roller cleaning cartridge is moved to the right position shown in Fig. 5, as previously described. Briefly, a pencil or other pointed object is placed at the right position. immediate proximity of the bottom 70 of the housing 46 to push up the lower pin 150 of

  positioning and take it out of the opening 172.

  This allows the cartridge 60 to be moved laterally

towards the position of Figure 5.

  After the cartridge 60 has been so positioned, the cleaner 44 is again inserted into the reading position or cavity 14 of the apparatus 10, which results in not only the ribbon 84 extending forward of the elements. 34-42, but that an additional section before the ribbon extends 84 a forward of the capstan 28 Thus, when it is placed in the running position the start button of the device 10, no only the guides 34-42 bring the ribbon 84 to its cleaning position, as shown in FIG. 6, but also the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 clamp the cleaning ribbon 84 between them. The passage of the ribbon 84 between the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 produces some cleaning action on the cleaning surfaces

  of these during the cleaning operation.

  If, in spite of the automatic stop which occurs as described above, it is still desired that the fixed shoe 136 produce a cleaning action on the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30, the cartridge 60 can be brought back to the left position shown in FIG. 1 In general, after the apparatus 10 is turned on, the capstan 28 and the pressure roller 30 rotate for at least a brief period before the automatic shut-off mechanisms take effect. by successively running the apparatus several times after each stop, a sufficient friction action is obtained of the capstan 28 and the pressure roller against the fingers 138 and 140 of the buffer to cause

proper cleaning

  The housing 46 and the top wall 176 of the cartridge 174 have four groups of access openings 210. Each group of openings 210 is placed in close proximity to one of the two coils 50 and 52 at the location o the ribbon 48 is wound on the spool 50 or 52 The apertures 210 of each group are spaced about 180 apart from each other with respect to the circumference of the spool 50 or 52. A suitable cleaning fluid can be introduced by the selected holes 210 to wet the ribbon 48 at points spaced along its length. In the preferred embodiment, the tape 48 has a length that is several times greater than the length necessary to allow this tape 48 to perform a single cleaning cycle. Thus, after a section of the tape 48 has been used. a number of times, it is possible to further advance the ribbon 48 of a spool 50 or 52 to the other to cause the use of a new section of the ribbon 48 for cleaning the elements of the apparatus This can be done conveniently by manually rotating the two coils 50 and 52 by taking them through the

  openings in the bottom 70.

  Another feature of the device according to the invention is that each of the coils 50 and 52 may comprise, on its upper surface, a spring-like arm 212. These arms 212 exert a moderate force downwards on the coils 50 and 52 while exerting pressure is applied to the surface of the structure immediately above it. Thus, moderate friction is applied to the coils 50 and 52 so that when the cleaner is ejected from the cabinet the tape 48 can not be pushed back to its proper position in the housing. which he adjusts

  tightly against the front wall 62 of the casing 46.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the device described and shown

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

  1 Apparatus for cleaning a reading and / or recording apparatus, said apparatus comprising a structure (10) defining a working location (14) for receiving a tape cassette in working position, at least one head (16, 18 or 20) which has a surface subject to fouling, guide means (32-42) for carrying against a tape of the cassette, in an input position in contact with the tape, and move the latter outward to a position of contact with the head, a capstan (28) and a pinch roller (30) in a position to contact the web and to scroll through it. through the reading and / or recording apparatus, and driving pins (54 and 56) for engaging reels (50, 52) of the tape cassette for rotation, the apparatus (44) being characterized in that it comprises a housing (46) ) of a cassette designed to be placed in the working area of the reading and / or recording apparatus and having a front end (62), a rear end (64) and first and second sides (66, 68). ), a cleaning tape (48) having a longitudinal axis and disposed in the casing of the cassette so that a portion of this tape, the casing of the cassette being placed in the work area, is arranged so that the guiding means comes into contact with it and is moved from the cassette housing to a cleaning position in which it comes into cleaning contact with at least said head, said tape being mounted in the housing of the cassette so as to be able to exit the housing and enter it along a path extending along the longitudinal axis of said ribbon, a positive dis35 (60) for cleaning the capstan and the pressure roller being mounted in the housing of the cassette and can take a first cleaning position in which it makes a cleaning contact with the capstan and the pressure roller, at the location of the latter, the cleaning device can be moved to a second position away from the position of the capstan and the pressure roller, tape positioning means 5 operable in a first mode to place the tape on a path bypassing the capstan and the pressure roller, and in a second mode positioning the ribbon between the capstan and the pressure roller, the device cleaning, when it is placed in its first cleaning position and the ribbon positioning means are in their first mode, being able to make a cleaning contact with the capstan and the pinch roller, the ribbon bypassing the capstan and the pressure roller, and the cleaning device, when placed in its second position and the ribbon positioning means are in the second mode, wearing the ribbon against the capstan and the pinch roller so that it is moved by said capstan and said roller   pressure on its path along its longitudinal axis.   2 cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (60) for cleaning the capstan and the pressure roller and the tape positioning means are mounted on a mounting element which is itself mounted so as to be able to moving in the casing of the cassette, said mounting member being movable between first and second positions for moving said cleaning device (60) between its first and second positions and   to move the tape positioning means between their first and second positioning modes.   Cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the mounting element and the casing of the cassette comprise means for positioning with complementary grooves and lugs so that the mounting element can be moved between its first and second legs. and second positions along said means of implementation.   Cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pin and groove means comprise first grooves (152) formed in the casing of the cassette and extending in a lateral direction, and second grooves (154a, 154b; 164) formed in the casing of the cassette and also extending in a substantially lateral direction, said mounting member having first and second lugs (144, 146; 148, 152)   adjusting in the first and second grooves.   Cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first and second grooves are located on opposite sides of the capstan cleaning device (60) and the pressure roller and in that at least one of the grooves is inclined relative to a lateral axis to cause rotation of the mounting member when moved between its first and second positions.   6 Cleaning device according to one of   claims 4 and 5, characterized in that at least   one (150) of the lugs is mounted on a flexible member (168) adapted to engage with first and second latching members (170,172) in the cassette housing (25) to position the element mounting   in his first and second positions.   7 Device according to one of the claims   4 and 6, characterized in that the first and second grooves have an end portion (158, 166) opening out of the cassette housing so that the mounting member can be used as a removable cartridge to be inserted. in the casing of the cassette and being able to to be removed.   Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reading and / or recording apparatus comprises a stop mechanism comprising first and second stop devices (94, 96) spaced apart from each other. the other, one of these arresting devices being a light-emitting element (92) and the other of the arresting devices being a light-sensitive element (96), the stop devices being disposed of in such a way that, when the tape cassette is in the working location, the tape is arranged to interrupt a light beam traveling on a path between the first and second stop devices and, when a primer of stopping of said ribbon is on the beam of the light path, the stopping mechanism is actuated, the cleaning device comprising a screen (88) which can take a break position of the beam to cut the path of the light beam between the a devices stop, and a beam transmission position allowing the light beam to travel the path between the stop devices, the cleaning device further comprising a drive transmission (90) adapted to engage one of the elements driving the reading and / or recording apparatus to move the screen between its first and second positions, so that the cleaning device can be moved on a cleaning cycle while the transmission of workout moves the screen from the first to the second stop position.   9 Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that the screen comprises a rotatable element placed around one of the stop devices and in that the transmission comprises a gear reduction gear for rotating the screen at a speed lower than the speed of rotation of the drive element with which the transmission is in take.   Cleaning device according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmission comprises   a speed reduction gear transmission (90) engaged between the screen and the driving member.   11 Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises two coils   (50, 52) mounted in the cassette housing and on the   a ribbon is to be wound, at least one of the coils having a toothed member (102) for engaging the gear transmission to   that a rotation of the reel to move the tape pro5 voque a rotation of the screen.   12 Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises mirrors   (204, 206) for reflecting the light beam along a non-linear path between the first and second stop devices.   13 Cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a   lens (202) placed in the path of the light beam to focus the light beam at an intensity sufficient to actuate the stop mechanism.